what a contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express excitement or admiration about a competition or event, often when the contest is particularly impressive or noteworthy. Example: "After watching the final match, I couldn't help but exclaim, 'What a contest!' The players gave it their all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

What a contest it promises to be!

Independent

And what a contest this will be.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've often wondered what a contest hosted in Berlin would look like.

Independent

Make sure you have an operational definition of what a "contest winning" submission is.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

What a tantalising contest it will be.

The Guardian - Sport

What about a contest to see who has the strongest arm or the farthest kick?

The New York Times

My thoughts vacillated quickly between the two smaller frogs, which would no doubt applaud this turn of events, and wonderment over what, in a contest between cockroach and Grow-a-Frog, would prevail.

The New York Times

What an awesome contest.

TechCrunch

And it was a shared chapter in their lives that offers a window into what a 2008 White House contest between these New Yorkers might be like, should they each win their party's nomination.

The New York Times

As a retailer, however, you can't really understand what a powerful tool a contest can be until you try it.

Huffington Post

Over the last few weeks, in what has amounted to a daily shadow campaign, they have traded increasingly bruising statements to the news media, giving New Yorkers an early glimpse of what a Ford-Gillibrand Senate contest would look like.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a contest" to express genuine surprise and admiration for the skills and effort displayed in a competition. It's most effective when the outcome is uncertain and the participants are highly skilled.

Common error

Avoid using "what a contest" for minor or low-stakes competitions. This phrase is best reserved for events that are genuinely exciting or impressive, otherwise, it can sound sarcastic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a contest" primarily functions as an exclamatory phrase. It expresses strong admiration or excitement about a competition, as evidenced by Ludwig AI's analysis. The phrase emphasizes the impressive nature of the event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what a contest" is an exclamatory phrase used to express admiration and excitement about a competition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for expressing enthusiasm. While relatively rare, its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the significance of the event to avoid sounding insincere. Alternatives like "what an event" or "what a competition" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the competition. Remember to reserve this phrase for genuinely thrilling or impressive competitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what an event

Replaces "contest" with a broader term indicating a significant occurrence.

what a competition

Substitutes "contest" with a synonym emphasizing the competitive nature.

what a match

Replaces "contest" with a term specifically for sporting events or games.

what a game

Similar to "what a match", focusing on a specific instance of play.

what a spectacle

Highlights the impressive and visually striking aspect of the contest.

what a showdown

Emphasizes the decisive and confrontational nature of the contest.

incredible competition

More formal and descriptive, replacing the exclamatory tone with an adjective.

remarkable event

Similar to "what an event" but uses a descriptive adjective instead of an exclamation.

impressive contest

Directly describes the contest as causing admiration.

unforgettable battle

Emphasizes the intensity and memorability of the competition.

FAQs

How can I use "what a contest" in a sentence?

You can use "what a contest" to express your admiration for a competition, for example: "After watching the final round, I had to say, 'What a contest!'"

What's a good alternative to "what a contest"?

Alternatives include "what an event", "what a competition", or "what a spectacle", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

When is it appropriate to use "what a contest"?

It's appropriate when you want to express excitement or admiration for a competition that is particularly impressive, thrilling, or closely fought.

Is "what a contest" formal or informal?

"What a contest" is generally considered informal, best suited for casual conversation or expressing enthusiasm in less formal settings.